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This statement was truly treasonous, and Zhao Chunmao did not dare to say it aloud. He quickly shut his mouth and lowered his head slightly.
But Tang Zhichuan could tell from Zhao Chunmao’s expression what he had left unsaid. His eyes narrowed even more, “It’s common for young people to be proud and arrogant, which is understandable. Go inside first.”
Tang Zhichuan was originally a true scholar.
Most scholars carry a heavy aura of books, refined, and cultured.
But Tang Zhichuan’s ancestors were military generals who had followed the founding emperor in battles to pacify the empire. The Tang family’s bloodline had a deep-rooted sense of dignity.
At this moment, although Tang Zhichuan was not angry, his casual words were enough to convey a suffocating sense of pressure.
Zhao Chunmao’s earlier spiritedness and resolute determination had almost dissipated by half, replaced by inner panic and unease.
It wasn’t until Tang Zhichuan’s figure had completely disappeared from view that Zhao Chunmao lifted his legs and hesitantly walked forward.
At this time, all the candidates were entering the side halls of the Zhongyuan Palace in order.
After sitting down in order, Tang Zhichuan and the Minister of Rites jointly opened the examination questions for this palace examination, and the eunuchs distributed them to all the candidates waiting for the examination.
After receiving the questions, all the candidates eagerly opened them to see the content.
On the neatly folded square sheet of Xuan paper, there were a few words written upright: “Those who consider the safety of the country must accumulate their virtue and righteousness.”
Seeing this, all the candidates furrowed their brows slightly.
This line is from “Ten Thoughts on Advising the Emperor Taizong,” which originally reads: “I have heard that those who wish for a tree to grow must strengthen its roots; those who desire a river to flow far must dredge its source; those who ponder the stability of the country must accumulate virtue and righteousness.”
Since “Ten Thoughts on Advising the Emperor Taizong” is a statement presented by a minister to the emperor, it is a familiar topic to scholars all over the land, not unfamiliar, and even memorized by many. They can recite the interpretations and annotations fluently.
In theory, writing an essay based on this line should be easy and straightforward.
However, precisely because it is a topic often written about, it is not simple to write something outstanding. It is also not easy to grasp the right tone, as it is easy to be criticized for either overly intense language or a lack of sincerity.
After realizing this, all the candidates were cautious and thoughtful, only writing carefully after much deliberation.
Soon, the left and right halls were filled with the sound of ink grinding and the rustling of brushes on paper, as well as the footsteps of Tang Zhichuan, the Minister of Rites, and others as they patrolled back and forth.
When they gathered together, they exchanged glances and sighed.
The emperor had, early in the morning, citing that today was not a good day for many meetings, directly entered the Qingxu Hall to meditate and cultivate.
The emperor’s lack of concern for the palace examination made them, as old ministers, even more afraid to relax in the slightest for the sake of the country and its people. They had to work harder to live up to the black hats on their heads.
And to live up to the trust of the previous emperor.
After a round of eye contact and another sigh, they nodded heavily in unison and went their separate ways to patrol.
They patrolled the candidates in the hall, observing their expressions, demeanor, calligraphy, and handwriting, recording everything in detail.
Sometimes they nodded in approval, sometimes they shook their heads, sometimes they furrowed their brows, and sometimes they even sighed…
These unconcealed reactions made the candidates even more nervous.
Exhausted…